Neuheisel Settles With the N.C.A.A. And Washington

Published: March 8, 2005

Rick Neuheisel will come out at least $4.5 million ahead in a settlement of his lawsuit Monday against the N.C.A.A. and the University of Washington.

The deal was announced by Judge Michael Spearman just before closing arguments were to begin in the five-week trial. Neuheisel will receive cash payments of $2.5 million from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and $500,000 from the university. The university also agreed not to seek repayment of a $1.5 million loan.

Neuheisel, the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens, had accused the university of wrongfully terminating his contract and the N.C.A.A. of encouraging Washington administrators to fire him.

The university had argued that he had signed a contract that allowed for his firing for acts of dishonesty. University officials had said Neuheisel was fired for gambling on an N.C.A.A. basketball pool and not being forthright about it with N.C.A.A. investigators.

Neuheisel's lawyers included $200,000 in interest on the loan in announcing their settlement figure of $4.7 million. University officials disputed that figure, saying no loan interest was included in the settlement.

''I feel fully vindicated,'' Neuheisel said outside the courtroom. ''Obviously, they're going to have their stories, too, but I feel like this is the best scenario. Nobody's nose gets bloodied.''